Rear view mirror help
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Rear view mirror help
I have an 03 vert and need to remove the rear view mirror. Can someone please post or email me the instructions from the manual on how to remove it/reinstall it?
I have totally screwed up the wiring trying to replace my lamp light and now i need to resolder some wires but I need to get it off the car first.
any help is appreciated.
Kim
I have totally screwed up the wiring trying to replace my lamp light and now i need to resolder some wires but I need to get it off the car first.
any help is appreciated.
Kim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: North Port Fl
I have gotten all kind of stupid answers to this very question, people told me to to grab the mirror and shake it as hard as you can all the time pushing up on it. Well none of these suggestions worked. I did a little research an found out GM makes a special tool to remove these. But you can use a small pry bar to remove it. I bought a small 10" Chraftsman (Sears item #00943305000) pry bar and it works perfect. It's $9.99 You can buy it online and pick it up at the store, that's what I did. It's got a wide end on it and the blade is curved which is what you need. insert it in at the bottom as far as you can, once you have it all the way in (I put a thin piece of cardboard between the pry bar and the windshield) push the handle toward the windshield while pushing up on the mirror. This will release the little clip holding it in place and let it slide right up and off. I might sound confusing but just take a flashlight and look through the windshield at the bracket holding the mirror on and you will see what you need to do.
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
I have gotten all kind of stupid answers to this very question, people told me to to grab the mirror and shake it as hard as you can all the time pushing up on it. Well none of these suggestions worked. I did a little research an found out GM makes a special tool to remove these. But you can use a small pry bar to remove it. I bought a small 10" Chraftsman (Sears item #00943305000) pry bar and it works perfect. It's $9.99 You can buy it online and pick it up at the store, that's what I did. It's got a wide end on it and the blade is curved which is what you need. insert it in at the bottom as far as you can, once you have it all the way in (I put a thin piece of cardboard between the pry bar and the windshield) push the handle toward the windshield while pushing up on the mirror. This will release the little clip holding it in place and let it slide right up and off. I might sound confusing but just take a flashlight and look through the windshield at the bracket holding the mirror on and you will see what you need to do.
this makes me nauseous to even think about it. i assume i need to unplug the wires going to it first. is there a trick to that or just pull?when i pry it off - will this separate it from the base that is glued to the windshield? the base will stay attached to the windshield-correct? sorry if these are dumb questions.
Last edited by khblair; Jul 19, 2008 at 04:58 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,891
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From: North Port Fl
No, you can actually unplug the wires after you get it off the bracket (there is a little locking clip on the connector that you have to squeeze), it actually easier that way. When you push the pry bar in and then push the pry bar handle towards the windshield while pushing up on the mirror all you are doing is releasing a clip that is on the mirror. The part that is glued to the windshield will stay put.
Last edited by ljthe2nd; Jul 19, 2008 at 05:24 PM.
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
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From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
To re-attach it --- just slide the mounting arm back on the plate (no need to use any tools). You'll hear it "click" when fully mounted.
Dave
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From: Lake Mary Florida
Be REALLY REALLY careful or you will pop the windshield.
Depending on year model you most likely have the slip on style. As
mentioned above grasp both sides in your hands and rock it back and forth while lifting. Don't force or apply any sudden force. Just rock it there are two small dimpled latches that are holding it in place. It slides upward.
Inside slide it down until it pops in place.
Don't force it at all. Be careful.
Depending on year model you most likely have the slip on style. As
mentioned above grasp both sides in your hands and rock it back and forth while lifting. Don't force or apply any sudden force. Just rock it there are two small dimpled latches that are holding it in place. It slides upward.
Inside slide it down until it pops in place.
Don't force it at all. Be careful.
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
ok - i cant get the stuipd mirror off. but.. assuming that i could, i need to take it apart and solder some wires on the board. anyone had the mirror taken apart and done something like this?
oh yea- and any volunteers to come help me????????????
j/k
oh yea- and any volunteers to come help me????????????
j/k
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,891
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From: North Port Fl
Yes if you're talking about the electrochromatic mirrors, I have taken them apart and modified them with different colored LED's. I sold 2 of them to members here. A few weeks ago I put a 3rd one for sale and the mods closed my thread telling me if I was going to sell these here I had to become a supporting vendor. I am very familiar with the insides of the "auto dimming" mirrors.
Did you try using the small pry bar, like I told you about? I have done this a number of times and it works very easily. It works the same way the GM mirror removal tool does but it sells for $37 and the 10" Craftsman pry bar sells for $9.99
Did you try using the small pry bar, like I told you about? I have done this a number of times and it works very easily. It works the same way the GM mirror removal tool does but it sells for $37 and the 10" Craftsman pry bar sells for $9.99
Last edited by ljthe2nd; Jul 19, 2008 at 09:50 PM.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 331
Likes: 17
From: Kerrville Texas
Before you go any further, take a powerful flashlight out and shine it on the windshield/rear view mirror mount from outside the car (through the front windshield). You can see how the mount works that way. If you have the typical mount, you will see two little tabs facing up on a single spring. These tabs lock it in place.
The easiest way to get it off is with a small, short-jawed vice grip. One that will reach up and grab the spring and compress it enough so the tabs will clear the windshield mount. Lock the small vice grip on the spring compressing it and you can slide that mirror off and on all you want....with your pinkie finger.
It will make sense to you once you look at the mount through the outside of the windshield.
I have taken mine off several times this way and it takes about 5 seconds. Very safe and no risk to your windshield.
The easiest way to get it off is with a small, short-jawed vice grip. One that will reach up and grab the spring and compress it enough so the tabs will clear the windshield mount. Lock the small vice grip on the spring compressing it and you can slide that mirror off and on all you want....with your pinkie finger.
It will make sense to you once you look at the mount through the outside of the windshield.
I have taken mine off several times this way and it takes about 5 seconds. Very safe and no risk to your windshield.
Last edited by mnotx; Jul 19, 2008 at 09:42 PM.
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Yes if you're talking about the electrochromatic mirrors, I have taken them apart and modified them with different colored LED's. I sold 2 of them to members here. A few weeks ago I put a 3rd one for sale and the mods closed my thread telling me if I was going to sell these here I had to become a supporting vendor. I am very familiar with the insides of the "auto dimming" mirrors.
Did you try using the small pry bar, like I told you about? I have done this a number of times and it works very easily.
Did you try using the small pry bar, like I told you about? I have done this a number of times and it works very easily.
oh - and yes, i bought the small pry bar... its not coming off. its like the clips are not collapsing.
ok - let me back up... can i just take the mirror apart without taking it off? i swear, that thing will not let loose.
its my LED pods that i messed up on. the driver one went in fine..but the passenger one - well, i messed with it too much and i pulled a few wires loose from the circuit board. so now i need to resolder them. sigh. so my $45 mod has turned into a big mess. any advice?
oh yea - and WHEN can you get here???
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Before you go any further, take a powerful flashlight out and shine it on the windshield/rear view mirror mount from outside the car (through the front windshield). You can see how the mount works that way. If you have the typical mount, you will see two little tabs facing up on a single spring. These tabs lock it in place.
The easiest way to get it off is with a small, short-jawed vice grip. One that will reach up and grab the spring and compress it enough so the tabs will clear the windshield mount. Lock the small vice grip on the spring compressing it and you can slide that mirror off and on all you want....with your pinkie finger.
It will make sense to you once you look at the mount through the outside of the windshield.
I have taken mine off several times this way and it takes about 5 seconds. Very safe and no risk to your windshield.
The easiest way to get it off is with a small, short-jawed vice grip. One that will reach up and grab the spring and compress it enough so the tabs will clear the windshield mount. Lock the small vice grip on the spring compressing it and you can slide that mirror off and on all you want....with your pinkie finger.
It will make sense to you once you look at the mount through the outside of the windshield.
I have taken mine off several times this way and it takes about 5 seconds. Very safe and no risk to your windshield.
ok - we've studied it thru the windshield, im sad to say, for about 3 hours... hubby is going out to try it agian.. and guess what - if he breaks it...
lots of new mods for me! what if i said... there is no spring? 2 tabs, but just an empty void underneath. the tab looks like it hooks across a solid pin in the center
can i just take the front of the mirror off to work on the board without taking it off the windshield?
Last edited by khblair; Jul 19, 2008 at 09:53 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Do not follow the GM Service Manual instructions for removing the Electochromatic Mirror. The GM instructions are as follows and can lead to breaking the windshield.
Rearview Mirror Replacement DD8
Removal Procedure
Remove the electrical connector (1) from the back of the inside rearview mirror .
Important
Do NOT pull rearward on the mirror while removing the mirror or damage to the support and/or windshield will occur.
Rock the mirror from side to side pushing upward firmly. An audible click is heard when the inside rearview mirror is releasing from the support.
This audible click was really a loud crack when the windshield on the Z broke. I was not pulling backwards but was doing just as this step said to do.
Remove the inside rearview mirror support.
Installation Procedure
Install the electrical connector (1) to the back of the inside rearview mirror.
Perform the following steps to install the inside rearview mirror:
Center the bottom of the inside rearview mirror on the support.
Important
Do NOT pull rearward on the mirror while installing the mirror or damage to the support and/or windshield will occur.
Rock the inside rearview mirror from side to side while pushing downward firmly. Take care not to damage the windshield.
An audible click is heard when the inside rearview mirror is fully seated.
Bill
Rearview Mirror Replacement DD8
Removal Procedure
Remove the electrical connector (1) from the back of the inside rearview mirror .
Important
Do NOT pull rearward on the mirror while removing the mirror or damage to the support and/or windshield will occur.
Rock the mirror from side to side pushing upward firmly. An audible click is heard when the inside rearview mirror is releasing from the support.
This audible click was really a loud crack when the windshield on the Z broke. I was not pulling backwards but was doing just as this step said to do.
Remove the inside rearview mirror support.
Installation Procedure
Install the electrical connector (1) to the back of the inside rearview mirror.
Perform the following steps to install the inside rearview mirror:
Center the bottom of the inside rearview mirror on the support.
Important
Do NOT pull rearward on the mirror while installing the mirror or damage to the support and/or windshield will occur.
Rock the inside rearview mirror from side to side while pushing downward firmly. Take care not to damage the windshield.
An audible click is heard when the inside rearview mirror is fully seated.
Bill
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 331
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From: Kerrville Texas
Those 2 tabs are part of the spring. It is a "U" shaped leaf spring, with the 2 tabs facing up to lock it in place. Just compress that spring down with a small vice grip until the tabs clear the mount. It really is a spring and quite easy to release.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,891
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From: North Port Fl
Here's a link to the GM mirror removal tool. Look at the tool and the little diagram to the left of the tool, you will see how the curved pry bar will accomplish the same thing for less money.
http://www.technologylk.com/product/...tm?src=froogle
http://www.technologylk.com/product/...tm?src=froogle
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
dont even ask.....
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
GUESS WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
got the mirror off, got the mirror apart - ready to do some soldering!!
thank for everyone's help!
got the mirror off, got the mirror apart - ready to do some soldering!!
thank for everyone's help!
